McAlister a big maybe

After solving daylong computer difficulties, here’s a much delayed blog on the Raiders today.

Start with old-man cornerback Chris McAlister, who is reportedly going to sign with the Raiders.

For now, consider it a maybe.

McAlister, 32, was cut by the Ravens in February. He’s gone unsigned but doesn’t want to retire, so he reached out to the Raiders recently to gauge their interest, according to a source with ties to McAlister and the Raiders.

Per the source, the Raiders told McAlister they are interested in his services. No contract has been offered, and McAlister wants more than the league minimum. This is not the done deal as advertised, not yet at least.

Several reports said he’d play free safety, but this is a career corner. He could be a nickel cornerback but man coverage isn’t exactly his thing. If nothing else, he brings Pro Bowl and championship experience and has got to be better than No. 4 cornerback John Bowie.

Think of him as a better version of Duane Starks, another former first-round speedster with a Super Bowl ring who finished things off in Oakland.

So stay tuned. As for the rest of a busy Thursday …

** Defensive coordinator John Marshall met with reporters for the first time since training camp. He fell on the sword when asked about the use of zone defense — please don’t call it prevent Marshall said — in the fourth quarter of Monday’s 24-20 loss to the Chargers.

“I think that our guys played darn hard and focused and with passion and meaning for up until about 2:40 left in the game,” Marshall said. “And, they did not slack off but they, I think I needed to do what I did. Hell, it’s on me. They needed to have a better understanding of what the situation was.”

Marshall said they played as if they had 89 yards to stop the Chargers, who started the winning drive at the 11. They dropped too far back accordingly. In reality, the Chargers only needed a field goal to tie but the defense gave them too much ground, too soon.

As for those linebackers dropped back so deep giving up so much ground underneath and letting the player get out of bounds in a hurry-up situation?

“They were more concerned about the digs and daggers and in-cut routes that they do a lot of, except that they always started … They started running a shallow guy or checking the ball off to the back, and when you check the ball down to Sproles, you better have some speed on him and don’t give him too much air. We didn’t adapt to it quick enough, and that’s on me.”

On Tuesday, coach Tom Cable said it was if they went into “prevent mode.” Marshall shook at the mere mention of the tabboo scheme.

“No,” Marshall said. “Absolutely not. No, no, no, no. We knew we couldn’t. And the players knew they couldn’t. But they just softened the underneath part of the coverage and eventually it hurt us.”

** Marshall said he called five blitzes but only two were actually run (one was checked out of, two pass blitzes were negated because it was a run play).

Marshall said he wouldn’t have done different, even with two starting offensive lineman knocked out of the game to injury.

“If you don’t have to pressure and you’ve got the coverage people and the upfront people to do it, then why, other than a change up, why put yourself in that position where somebody could get a big play?” Marshall said.

Al Davis, who loves a four-man rush and man coverage, couldn’t have said it better himself.

** Punt returner/wide receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins is still out with a sprained shoulder. Cable gave him until Friday to practice before making a decision on his status, but it doesn’t look like Higgins will play.

Wide receiver Javon Walker will play for the first time since November, Cable said. He’s the backup punt returner behind Hiram Eugene and the probable No. 3 receiver.

This does not bode well for the passing game.

Starter Chaz Schilens (foot) is out at least one more game. Higgins is doubtful. Rookie Nick Miller (shin/ankle) is out 4-to-6 weeks. And Walker wasn’t considered to suit up just three days ago because he lacked speed, burst and cutting ability.

The other three receivers — Louis Murphy, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Todd Watkins — had zero playing experience before Monday.

Good thing the Raiders have been able to run all over the Chiefs in recent games. They’ll need to again Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.